Safe Place Therapy, Counselling Epping

Working with Adam through processing my trauma, grief, and mourning has been a huge help in my life, relationships, and work. The use of EMDR therapy has been very effective, especially with an experienced and knowledgeable clinician like Adam. Thank you very much

DO NOT LET ADAM DO EMDR ON YOU.
I've been seeing Bianca and Adam as a counsellor when Bianca isn't available. I have found Adam to be ok as a counsellor, however; when it comes to EMDR he's no where near qualified. I started EMDR with Adam a few weeks ago. We did a couple of sessions of 'prep' butterfly taps, putting thoughts into a box (which I really struggled with) and a safe place which wasn't all that safe just a place I'd like to visit. After a few sessions of this I felt Adam got 'bored' of the not doing much or getting anywhere with the prep. There was no exploring my window of tolerance no preparation at all in relation to this. Given that this is a vital part of your treatment to negligent this it is neglecting your patient. There was no stabilisation work. I haven't been stable since 2018. I am unable to ground myself and regulate my emotions. Both Bianca and Adam are aware of this.
Adam said to me 'my initial instinct was to take you really slow (given my trauma and amount of it) but I THINK we'll be right' He THINKS! So he said we'll spend one more session of prep and head into processing. I took him thinking I would be ok as a sign I'd be ok. I couldn't have been further from the truth. I walked into his office on processing day shaking. My knees where visably knocking together. I clearly wasn't in a good place mentally however he proceeded regardless.
We started processing and he totally lost control of my Window of tolerance and how to bring me back. I remember crying to the point of hyperventilating. He'd lost control of me. In the time I was in there we proceeded far too much. He just kept waving his fingers in front of my eyes. I suggest, as he knew he'd stuffed it up and was trying to process as much as possible before I left to cover his arse. I left his office absolutely swaying like I was drunk. I have no idea how I got home and I apparently spoke to a friend and don't remember. He left me in a worse space than I'd ever been in. I felt yuk for a couple of days. Pressure in my head, stomach cramps, nausea and sore muscles all the things they say are 'normal'
Day 4 I was suicidal. I wanted to get into my car and drive in front of a truck out the front of work. The noise of the trucks was so loud, louder than they usually are bouncing down the road. I started disassociating soon after. I feel numb I have no thoughts or feelings I want to cry but I cannot. Yes EMDR is meant to be tough, you're dealing with trauma, however, it's not meant to make you want to kill yourself. There was insufficient preparation in my treatment it should never have gone ahead. I wasn't ready. I can't regulate my emotions and I can't ground myself but he plowed on anyway. He has left me extremely traumatised and barely unable to function or think. The problem with EMDR is anyone can get a basic certificate and the training isn't extensive as it needs to be. There are many cowboys in the EMDR field who've done a very basic certification. Adam's conduct was negligent and irresponsible. I'll deal with my trauma when I am ready not when he is. I felt like he thought he could just push me to do it when I wasn't ready. Of course he did he doesn't have to deal with the fall out.
Don't let this man perform this treatment on you. Choose your therapist very very wisely. Ask them as many questions as you can so you don't end up like me. I am now not willing to try EMDR again. This man has ruined my life. EMDR isn't meant to be like this, it's not designed to 'make you feel worse before you get better' that's your therapists inexperience or inability to handle your trauma speaking.
I feel so misled. I am confused, frightened, beyond furious and cant cope. There has been zero accountability or support from this establishment. They'll have you believe this is 'normal'.

https://mi-psych.com.au/processing-traumatic-memories-and-distrubance-with-emdr-therapy/#: ~: text=Often%2C%20therapists%20who%20are%20overly, could%20even%20make%20things%20worse.

Adam is an excellent therapist, who's been able to help me work through some difficult and unpleasant feelings. I felt safe and secure coming to Safe Place Therapy

A few months ago, my son was unfortunate to have experienced one of the darkest fears of any parent. It was a very difficult time for the family and we were advised to seek counseling for him. We found Safe Place Therapy and I spoke with Vicki who was very warm, encouraging and genuinely wanted to help. She arranged for my son to meet with Adam Bottomley and through the course of the therapy, we saw a very welcoming change to our son. Adam cleared the dark clouds and brought back our son's happiness. Our son is now more confident, believes in himself and is much braver. No words can describe how thankful I am to Adam and to Safe Place for helping our son. I recommend Safe Place Therapy for anyone who needs not just support, but someone to talk to. Thank you SPT - John (dad of Liam, 11 years old)

I’ve met Dr. Adam couple of times and he has been very patient and understanding. He connects with thoughts easily and give good examples to help with issues.

Highly recommend Safe Place Therapy. They were able to create a space that felt safe for me to open up and help me find a way through my problems.

I would highly recommend Safe Place Therapy. Very good service provided with highly trained staff. Adam had answers to so many of my questions and provided guidance and worked me through my problems. I walked out feeling more confident and having an inner feeling of satisfaction.

Before my journey with safe place, I have had serious and multiple issues in my life. My life took a turn when i had went though a domestic relationship with my ex partner that’s when I had taken the plunge to seek help. I was luckily enough to have met one of the professionals named Adam who I can say has saved my life, he had this generous, giving and caring persona that Instantly made a huge impact on my life by actually caring enough to look back on my life. And really focus on some traumatic events I had been experiencing. I Definitely recommend him as its more importantly a safe place for anything In particular.

I was very disappointed with my daughter’s experience with her counsellor. Appointment was cancelled twice and then no contact was made after that. Considering mental health issues were being dealt with I would have thought more care would have been taken with clients. Would definitely not recommend

Unfortunatley took nothing really away from the sessions, counsellor could not deal with our marriage issues and constantly would suggest that it was ok not to save the marraige and sometimes that he was not able to help us. Thought this was what counselling is for, To get help, not for them to give up on you. Gave us only one task to complete and that really wasnt followed up on each session.